67's stars ready to go…at Scotiabank Place

One way or another, there will be hockey played at Scotiabank Place this fall.

While the NHL and its players continue to keep their fans in limbo, squabbling over millions – er, billions — of dollars, it’s time to offer a reminder that the Ottawa 67’s are relocating to Kanata due to construction at Lansdowne Park.

It’s an intriguing scenario for both defenceman Cody Ceci and centre Sean Monahan.

Being so close to the NHL atmosphere should provide additional motivation for both Ceci, whom the Ottawa Senators selected 15th overall in June’s entry draft, and Monahan, who is expected to be among the first players chosen at next June’s draft.

At the same time, though, skating in the big-league arena could increase the pressure and expectations on both of them, especially if they draw additional attention due to an extended NHL lockout.

Then again, they should be all too familiar with living with hype.

Both of them are already well into their seasons, fresh from playing in the four-game Canada-Russia junior exhibition series, which concluded with a Canadian overtime victory in Halifax earlier this week.

This being Canada, their performances have been analyzed over and over again. The great plays, the mistakes, even the mediocre displays, have been subject to debate as commentators and fans try to look ahead at who could make the world junior team in December.

Generally, the assessment went something like this: Monahan was outstanding in the four games, scoring two goals and two assists, while Ceci struggled a bit, playing in only two games and unable to fully showcase his offensive abilities.

“It was a lot of fun, things went well and we came out with the win,” said Monahan, who turns 18 on Oct. 12. “There are so many good players. Obviously, it’s a higher level and everyone is competing that much higher. A lot of it is mental. You can’t take any shifts off.”

It’s rare for an undrafted NHL player to make the world junior squad, but Monahan is optimistic that if has an impressive start with the 67’s, his age won’t be a factor in the decision.

“I don’t think that’s a disadvantage,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for me and I think Hockey Canada is going to take the best players that are available.”

If an NHL lockout happens, Monahan figures to have tougher competition because 19-year-olds who might otherwise be ready for the NHL will be returned to their junior teams. That was the case during the 2004-05 lockout, when the Canadian world junior team featured Ryan Getzlaf, Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Dion Phaneuf and Brent Seabrook.

Yet based on Monahan’s play in the series against Russia, he should make the team, according to Craig Button, the former NHL general manager who has serves as a TSN commentator and specializes in analyzing the world’s best teenaged players. Button, who believes Monahan will be selected among the top five players at next June’s draft, suggests he was among Canada’s top five forwards against Russia.

“He’s capable of being a number one (NHL) centre, but the biggest thing in the Russia-Canada series is that he showed his versatility,” Button said. “He played out of position at times, with different players and on the powerplay. He was exceptional. He started out as the 13th forward and the plan was to move him in and out, but by the end of the tournament, he was a prominent forward.”

As for Ceci, Button believes he was trying too hard to not make mistakes, at the expense of not displaying his best talents. He cautions fans to not read too much into a mere two games. He says Mathew Dumba, Minnesota’s seventh overall selection in June, had a similar experience. Ryan Murphy, Carolina’s 12th overall pick in June, also wasn’t great until he put on a show in the final two games, according to Button.

“Everyone wants to make that world junior team and it takes some time, with coaches trying to work everyone in,” said Button. “At times, it takes awhile to get your feet wet and he didn’t make any glaring mistakes. He’s too good, too skilled…he’s just got to play to his strengths (with the 67’s) and if does that, he’ll be there in December.”

Ceci acknowledges it was tough to find a rhythm, seeing less ice time than he’s familiar with.

“I’m used to playing every game and a lot of minutes, so it was different, but it’s tough for (coaches) and they have to go with what they’re feeling,” he said.

Ceci also came within centimetres of scoring a game-winning goal in the third game of the series, hitting the post with 14 minutes left. Russia went on to win the game.

Besides the hockey, Ceci says it was “pretty cool” playing in Russia, which is also where the world junior tournament will be played. “Seeing how they go about things and their life, it was a cool experience.”

For now, though, it’s all about playing at home. After a few days off following the tournament, Ceci will resume workouts next week in preparation for the opening of 67’s camp on Aug. 29. He’s also keeping his fingers crossed he’ll have a Senators training camp to attend, hoping a lockout can be averted.

It may be a longshot, but Ceci also hasn’t given up the idea of playing at Scotiabank Place this season for that other team – the Senators.

“I want to use the 67’s camp as a preparation for the Senators camp and I won’t be taking it easy,” he said. “I want to be ready for wherever I end up.”

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